Arunachal Ranji opener in doubt amid court dispute

Arunachal Pradesh’s participation in its opening Ranji Trophy match against Nagaland is uncertain as a court dispute has left the state cricket association unable to organise teams, BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia said. The fixture is scheduled for October 11 in Ahmedabad, and no ruling resolving the dispute had been reported by October 9. The Gauhati High Court’s Itanagar Bench is considering a challenge to the Arunachal Cricket Association’s election process. Saikia said a stay on the association’s functioning and litigation between factions had left no effective official to select players or prepare teams. The court heard the matter in September and has reserved its order, according to reports. The disruption has already affected a junior competition. Arunachal Pradesh did not field its Under-19 men’s team against Sikkim in the Vinoo Mankad Trophy on October 8, according to reports. Its senior players have also been waiting for confirmation about whether to assemble for the Ranji opener. Six district associations, including Lower Siang, Upper Subansiri, Kamle, Tawang, West Siang and Papum Pare, have challenged the state association’s election process and sought fresh elections.